Elements for a magnetic tool holder system

Abstract

A quick-connect tool change system for hand drills comprising a) a first, two ended, magnetic bit holder element fitting a chuck, b) at least one second working tool element slidingly fitting over the first bit holder element and having retaining means, The first bit holder element can comprise a natural magnet or an electro magnet selectively energized from a direct current source. A hand drill with a means to provide and transmit electric current to the electro magnet is also provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. In a first element of a tool system for working on objects, said element adapted for use in a tool holder or chuck, said tool holder having holding means or jaws to hold said first element of a tool system and to transfer forces to said first element, said holding means comprising tightening means, said tool holder being part of a drill machine and having a magnetically attractable portion, said first element having an axis of rotation and an elongated member disposed and centered around said axis of rotation, said elongated member having an outer surface comprising indentations and protrusions of various dimensions, said elongated member having two ends and cavities disposed on said ends, said cavities adapted and dimensioned to accept selected working tools and having means to hold said working tools and means to transmit forces to said working tools, the improvement comprising: 
       there being disposed inside said member and exposed to said cavities at least one magnet positioned and adapted to have simultaneously direct contact with both of said working tools and to transmit magnetic forces to said working tools held in said cavities, said magnet and elongated member adapted to transmit magnetic forces via either one of said working tools to the magnetically attractable portion of said tool holder while said first tool element is held by the jaws in said tool holder, said first element and magnet also adapted to project magnetic forces in selected locations in a direction substantial normal to said axis of rotation so as to attract magnetically attractable objects to said outer surface.  
     
     
       2. In combination a first element of a tool system as defined in claim  1  and a second tool element sharing said axis of rotation, said second tool element having a central cavity disposed along said axis of rotation said cavity dimensioned to accept said outer surface of the first tool elements' elongated member in a sliding fit, said second tool element having means to receive torque forces from said jaws or holding means, said means to receive torque forces also adapted to be attracted by said magnet of the first element and thereby to serve as retaining means or locking means for selectively retaining said second tool element on said first element of a tool system. 
     
     
       3. In combination a first element of a tool system as defined in claim  1 , wherein the said outer surface of said elongated member has means to transmit forces and a second tool element having a central cavity aligned with said axis of rotation, said cavity comprising means to receive forces from said first element, said second tool element having retaining means or locking means to retain said second tool element on said first element, said retaining means having at least one magnetically attractive portion, said second tool element dimensioned to fit in a sliding fit over said elongated member and wherein said magnet is disposed in said elongated member so as to exert a pulling force directed toward said axis of rotation on said retaining means of the second tool element so as to help retain said second element on said elongated member. 
     
     
       4. The second tool element as defined in claim  3 , wherein the said retaining means comprises at least one tongue or prong that is disposed on said second element substantially parallel to said axis of rotation and wherein said tongue has at least one portions spaced at an increased distance from said axis of rotation and wherein a sliding member is provided that is adapted to slide on said prong substantially parallel to said axis of rotation so as to increase and decrease pressure of said tongues on said outer surface of the first elements' elongated member. 
     
     
       5. The second tool element as defined in claim  3 , wherein said retaining means comprises a pivoting member or washer with a hole dimensioned to admit in a loose fit said elongated member of said first element and to make contact at two points with said outer surface, said washer dimensioned and disposed on said second tool element in such a way so as to align with said magnet and to be pulled by said magnet into a position away from normal to said axis of rotation and said second tool element comprising a sliding member adapted to selectively tilt said washer into a position substantially normal to said axis of rotation. 
     
     
       6. A second tool element as defined in claim  3 , wherein said retaining means comprises at least one ball adapted and dimensioned to selectively simultaneously touch said outer surface and said second tool element. 
     
     
       7. The second tool element as defined in claim  4 , wherein said tongue is provided with means to selectively engage the indentations of said outer surface. 
     
     
       8. The second tool element as defined in claim  5 , wherein said pivoting member is adapted to selectively engage the indentations of said outer surface of the elongated member. 
     
     
       9. The second tool element as defined in claim  6 , wherein said ball is adapted and positioned to selectively engage the indentations of said outer surface of the elongated member. 
     
     
       10. In combination the first element of a tool system as defined in claim  3  and a third adaptor element of a tool system, said adaptor element dimensioned to slide into a tool holder or chuck and adapted to be grasped and receive forces from the jaws or holding means of said chuck, said third adaptor element sharing said axis of rotation with said first element and said chuck, said third adaptor element having a central cavity aligned with said axis of rotation, said central cavity having a cross section that is adapted and dimensioned to receive said elongated member in a sliding fit, said central cavity extending along said axis of rotation deep into said chuck when said jaws grip said third adaptor element, said third adaptor element comprising means to transfer forces to said first element. 
     
     
       11. The third adaptor element as defined in claim  10 , wherein said means to transfer forces of the third adaptor element is at least one slot and wherein said means to transmit forces of said outer surface of the first elements' outer surface is at least one protrusion or pin that is adapted and dimensioned to be received in said slot. 
     
     
       12. The third adaptor element as defined in claim  10 , wherein said means to transfer forces is said cavity and wherein said cross section is non-circular and wherein said outer surface conforms to said cross section that is non-circular. 
     
     
       13. The third adaptor as defined in claim  12 , wherein said cross section defines a hexagon. 
     
     
       14. The third adaptor element as defined in claim  10  wherein said cavity is an end-to-end hole. 
     
     
       15. The combination of a first element of a tool system and a third adaptor element of a tool system as defined in claim  10 , wherein said third adaptor element comprises retaining means to retain said first element, said retaining means adapted and dimensioned to engage said outer surface of the first elements' elongated member and said retaining means adapted to be assisted in their function by the action of said magnet. 
     
     
       16. The first element for a tool system as defined in claim  1 , wherein said magnet is an electro-magnet and wherein said fist element has means to receive electric current. 
     
     
       17. The combination of the first element of a tool system as defined in claim  16  and a tool holder, wherein said tool holder comprises means to transmit electric current to said tool element and wherein said drill machine has means to provide electric current and a switch or means to selectively interrupt said electric current thereby allowing the operator to selectively activate said electro-magnet. 
     
     
       18. A hand held electric rotary machine with a tool holder adapted to hold a working tool, said tool holder comprising means to transfer electric current to said working tool, said machine having a source of electric current destined for said working tool and a switch or means to selectively interrupt the flow of said current from said source to said working tool.